Hunter with broken knee rescued after three nights in the bush

The Kaeo community has heaped praise on search and rescue teams after they found a hunter missing  in the Te Urewera National Park on Saturday morning.

Search and rescue teams found the 58-year-old hunter, Tom Gordon, who spent three nights in the national park, with a broken knee and cuts to his face.

A paramedic was amongst the search teams and assisted him until he was winched from the bush and airlifted to Rotorua hospital  on Saturday afternoon.

Daughter of the missing huntsman, Mikaela Gordon, praised the teams for finding her father.

“We love our dad. He’s our hero. We give so many thanks to everyone involved who helped find him. The police, the search and rescue teams and paramedics – we give so many thanks.

“I probably can’t swear, but it was absolutely amazing when dad was found. We just wanted him back.”

Detective Sergeant John Wilson assisted in the search and repeated hunting safety messages.

“Always plan out your hunting trip and stick to that plan. Indicate where you are going at all times and stick to a time frame.”

Gordon failed to return to camp after a solo hunt on Wednesday and was reported missing the following day by his seven-man hunting party.

A police statement reports Gordon was found about 10 kilometers from where the hunting group were camping and despite the broken knee, he was in good spirits.

“I commend him for having been found well-clad after being lost for three nights, two of which he was suffering from a broken knee,” Wilson said.

Gordon was airlifted to Rotorua Hospital and his family has gathered to see him.